Government to replace contempt of court law
Cabinet endorses DCC’s decision on Nato supply resumption, Approves draft constitutional amendment on dual nationality
Sharafat Kazmi
Thursday, July 05, 2012 - Islamabad—The government has decided to abolish the Contempt of Court Ordinance and replace it with new legislation.
The Federal Cabinet approved the draft of the Contempt of Court Bill 2012 on Wednesday.
The cabinet meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf.
Under the new draft bill, the President, Prime Minister, Ministers and Chief Ministers will be immune from contempt of court proceedings un-der article 284-1 of the constitution.
The draft bill also states that criticism of court orders if made in the appropriate language would not be contempt of court.
Briefing newsmen, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said the draft bill seeks to ensure right of appeal and suspension of the verdict till completion of the hearing by the appellate court or bench. He also pointed out that Article 248(1) also provides immunity to Prime Minister, Ministers, Ministers of State, Chief Ministers and Provincial Ministers in the official conduct of their duties.
The Information Minister made it clear that PPP believes that the country can be made strong by follow-ing the constitution as well as when state institutions work in their domain.
The Federal Cabinet unanimously endorsed DCC’s decision about reopening of Nato supply routes and approved a draft Constitutional Amendment seeking removal of bar on dual nationality for Overseas Paki-stanis.
The Prime Minister informed the cabinet that the process of re-engagement with the United States and Nato has been completed as per national interests and honour of the country and parliamentary guidelines.
The minister said the decision to stop Nato supplies was taken by the DCC and Cabinet and its reopen-ing has also been endorsed by these forums.
The cabinet noted that being responsible member of the comity of nations, Pakistan adopted a principled position as delineated by the parliament. After attack on Salala Post resulting into martyrdom of our troops, Pakistan rightly demanded apology from the United States and redefining of the rules of engagement for the future.
The minister pointed out that some of the recommendations of the parliament related to rules of en-gagements with the United States and Nato while others were about our relations with different countries and guidelines for future foreign policy. He said all decisions have been taken keeping in view these guidelines of the parliament.
Replying to a question he said there is no question of victory or defeat on the issue as Pakistan has taken decisions in its national interests and for the sake of regional peace and stability.
The Secretary Water And Power briefed the cabinet about energy situation and said the expected im-provement in the situation has not materialized fully due to slow melting of snow on hills leading to reduc-tion in water availability in rivers and dams and oil supply issues.
The prime minister issued directives for holding of meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy tomor-row under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. He also gave instructions that the committee should come up with firm recommendations on how to overcome the power shortage.
Replying to a question, the Information Minister said that Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices in the war on terror as thousands of its security personnel and civilians have lost their lives in this war. He said the US has acknowledged our stand regarding the Salala incident and its apology has rectified the situation.
Responding to a question he said by reopening ground supply routes, Pakistan has given passage to the international forces to withdraw from Afghanistan. He said the decision would help restore peace and stabil-ity in the neighbouring country as well as in Pakistan. He said the decision would also allow Pakistan to play its role for peace and stability in the region in a more effective manner.
He said the decision was also motivated by considerations of Pakistan’s trade agreements with 52 coun-tries of which many have offered concessions to us.
The minister held out an assurance that the government or its institutions would not enter into any secret agreement with the United States or Nato.
To another question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan has agreement with sixteen countries re-garding dual nationality. He said that a seat is reserved in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for the overseas Kashmiris. The Information Minister made it clear that PPP believes that the country can be made strong by following the constitution as well as when state institutions work in their domain.
Responding to question, no injustice is being done with Punjab regarding power supply and Punjab is using sixty six percent power generated at national level. He said power supply system would further im-prove in coming days as the government has decided to supply twenty-eight metric tons of oil to thermal power station.
The Federal Cabinet approved the draft of the Contempt of Court Bill 2012 on Wednesday.
The cabinet meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf.
Under the new draft bill, the President, Prime Minister, Ministers and Chief Ministers will be immune from contempt of court proceedings un-der article 284-1 of the constitution.
The draft bill also states that criticism of court orders if made in the appropriate language would not be contempt of court.
Briefing newsmen, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said the draft bill seeks to ensure right of appeal and suspension of the verdict till completion of the hearing by the appellate court or bench. He also pointed out that Article 248(1) also provides immunity to Prime Minister, Ministers, Ministers of State, Chief Ministers and Provincial Ministers in the official conduct of their duties.
The Information Minister made it clear that PPP believes that the country can be made strong by follow-ing the constitution as well as when state institutions work in their domain.
The Federal Cabinet unanimously endorsed DCC’s decision about reopening of Nato supply routes and approved a draft Constitutional Amendment seeking removal of bar on dual nationality for Overseas Paki-stanis.
The Prime Minister informed the cabinet that the process of re-engagement with the United States and Nato has been completed as per national interests and honour of the country and parliamentary guidelines.
The minister said the decision to stop Nato supplies was taken by the DCC and Cabinet and its reopen-ing has also been endorsed by these forums.
The cabinet noted that being responsible member of the comity of nations, Pakistan adopted a principled position as delineated by the parliament. After attack on Salala Post resulting into martyrdom of our troops, Pakistan rightly demanded apology from the United States and redefining of the rules of engagement for the future.
The minister pointed out that some of the recommendations of the parliament related to rules of en-gagements with the United States and Nato while others were about our relations with different countries and guidelines for future foreign policy. He said all decisions have been taken keeping in view these guidelines of the parliament.
Replying to a question he said there is no question of victory or defeat on the issue as Pakistan has taken decisions in its national interests and for the sake of regional peace and stability.
The Secretary Water And Power briefed the cabinet about energy situation and said the expected im-provement in the situation has not materialized fully due to slow melting of snow on hills leading to reduc-tion in water availability in rivers and dams and oil supply issues.
The prime minister issued directives for holding of meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy tomor-row under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. He also gave instructions that the committee should come up with firm recommendations on how to overcome the power shortage.
Replying to a question, the Information Minister said that Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices in the war on terror as thousands of its security personnel and civilians have lost their lives in this war. He said the US has acknowledged our stand regarding the Salala incident and its apology has rectified the situation.
Responding to a question he said by reopening ground supply routes, Pakistan has given passage to the international forces to withdraw from Afghanistan. He said the decision would help restore peace and stabil-ity in the neighbouring country as well as in Pakistan. He said the decision would also allow Pakistan to play its role for peace and stability in the region in a more effective manner.
He said the decision was also motivated by considerations of Pakistan’s trade agreements with 52 coun-tries of which many have offered concessions to us.
The minister held out an assurance that the government or its institutions would not enter into any secret agreement with the United States or Nato.
To another question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan has agreement with sixteen countries re-garding dual nationality. He said that a seat is reserved in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for the overseas Kashmiris. The Information Minister made it clear that PPP believes that the country can be made strong by following the constitution as well as when state institutions work in their domain.
Responding to question, no injustice is being done with Punjab regarding power supply and Punjab is using sixty six percent power generated at national level. He said power supply system would further im-prove in coming days as the government has decided to supply twenty-eight metric tons of oil to thermal power station.
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